Health concern
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I feel a little strange posting this here because it's kind of personal.
But we do talk about our health. Older people talk about their heath and it's no wonder.
To start, I have an appointment with my Dr tomorrow.
So, I'm prepared for that.
The problem is, this is hard to say, I can't seem to stop loosing weight.
I can't stop loosing weight and to put this in perspective, I wore 32 x 30 pants starting when I was 21. I'm now down to 29 x 30 the size I wore when I was 17.
I feel sad about it. I look in the mirror and it's alarming.
So, my Dr, PCP is an internist. He's been my Dr for 8 years. He's had the same nurse the entire time.
I'm very comfortable with both of them. My Dr is Board certified, not that usual but a good thing. He's a little moody. But look who's talking.
I love his nurse. We have the bed working relationship and that kind of affinity you aren't "supposed to" have in working relationship but it happens.
So, I'm going to find out my weight. It was as high as 160+ several years ago (in FL).
It has gone down obviously and goes up and down.
It's been as low as 121.
It was 117 when I was 17.
It's about 117 now. It might be a few pounds less.
So, I'm going to make sure I take my shirt off and let him examine me.
I'm going to ask for blood work any any and all possible tests to try to find the reason or reasons for it.
Long story short, it needs to reverse itself. Or not.
I'm afraid I'm in trouble if not.
I did 2 major house projects yesterday.
I took everything out washed it, washer and dryer everything, put everything back together, and set the refrigerator and freezer temperatures from max to lowest.
I should have adjust the temperatures a long time ago.I moved a chair in the corner of the living room, bagged all the stuff I had stored there. Most of it goes to the dump. I vacuumed the corner. I was able to vacuum under the couch completely because of the char not being there. I found stuff I had no idea was under the couch and a bunch of stuff I didn't remember storing there
But I'm tired.
I've now finished almost every project that needed to be done. There is 1 large coffee table (?- the kind that sits in front of a couch and 1 end table that have to leave I can't move them without taping up the bottoms with tinfoil because damp press board splinters fall by the hundred when they are moved.
I might get to the end table in a month or two. It's jammed up against the couch. I might keep the large coffee table for the time being. It's between in the dining room a step away from the living room. I use it to keep cleaning supplies on. My system works and I have no opinion this year to find shelving.
There's an old portable air conditioner on the porch. It's in locking the only of corner of the porch I haven't been able to clean.
But I decided just today I can't right now and I don't want to do any more projects.
A plumber is coming to do a few minor repairs.
I need to get estimates from 2 other contractors.
I need to get an authorized clothes washer repair estimate.
I then he or she will say it can't be fixed or isn't worth fixing but I have to go through the motions.
I have a dental appointment at 8 a.m. Friday.
What a God awful time but I didn't have to wait a month and the other option was November 2 at 9 a.m..So it would have been the same time! Lol.
There's no easy way to say I think I might be dying and I don't know why.
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There are a number of possible causes. I went through a bout of involuntary weight loss last winter, dropping 30lbs in 3 months. In my case I shed the weight despite force feeding myself 3500-4000 calories a day, so I knew it was malabsorption and suspected the cause was one of my meds and that was confirmed when I stopped taking it for some time.
I had dropped to 148lbs last February and at my 6’2” that is small. I’m 170 now and still look quite thin.
You’re getting medical attention so that is good. If I were you I’d start counting your macros (calories, protein, fat, and carbs) for a while which can help you figure out if it’s an appetite issue or an absorption issue. Weight loss with poor appetite points toward cancer, depression, or organ disease; weigh loss with preserved or increased appetite points to hyperthyroidism, endocrine disorders, or GI disorders. Claude tells me 15-25% of involuntary weight loss episodes never result in a cause being identified even with investigation.
Even without counting calories, you may have a feeling as to whether your appetite has been impaired recently.
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Thanks, all.
My trustee asked me if I was willing to go to the hospital sooner rather than later.
I said yes.
In other words, she is willing to consider paying for me to be admitted to a hospital for a comprehensive evaluation, after I see my primary care Dr. tomorrow and follow up with him, if it becomes something that seems prudent or necessary.
This wouldn't be a difficult decision because the trust document is explicit about one of its purposes being the provision of healthcare.
So that's a blessing.
Chas, Lol. Ice cream is my favorite food.
Specifically, thanks, wtg. I know you have a range of experience with healthcare.
@jon-nyc I've read your post carefully. I'll have to read it again and take notes. I haven't researched the mechanics/ science of this kind of situation.
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Maybe Omeprazole causes malabsorption. I could stop taking it without a problem.
Heathier gut flora would definitely help.
I have UC. It's mild, or at least I thought so. Maybe it's become worse.
It's an autoimmune disease, btw. My immune system is compromised.
I'm probably due for a second colonoscopy.
Although even that you have to consider the risks.
I wish I could eat yogurt! Lactose intolerant.
BTW, I think Lactose free organic whole milk is a miracle.
Needless to say I hope there is "an answer" and it's not cancer.
All of this has put me in mind of the fact my mother died of cancer at 66. I'm 59.
God only know but I might have 5 years. Or more. Or less.
The thought of maybe having only 5 years, if that, freaks me out a little.
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Hope you get it figured out, Daniel.
I figure my recent weight loss (last 5 years) is due to loss of muscle mass. And I’m eating less. Can’t lift the (heavy) lid of my Mason & Hamlin on my own. I should start going to a gym.
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Maybe Omeprazole causes malabsorption. I could stop taking it without a problem.
Heathier gut flora would definitely help.
I have UC. It's mild, or at least I thought so. Maybe it's become worse.
It's an autoimmune disease, btw. My immune system is compromised.
I'm probably due for a second colonoscopy.
Although even that you have to consider the risks.
I wish I could eat yogurt! Lactose intolerant.
BTW, I think Lactose free organic whole milk is a miracle.
Needless to say I hope there is "an answer" and it's not cancer.
All of this has put me in mind of the fact my mother died of cancer at 66. I'm 59.
God only know but I might have 5 years. Or more. Or less.
The thought of maybe having only 5 years, if that, freaks me out a little.
The thought of maybe having only 5 years, if that, freaks me out a little.
I’m 10 years into a six year life expectancy and I don’t spend much time thinking about it though it has effected long range plans.
I like to joke that I’m living on house time (like the gambler up on the night says he’s playing with house money).
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Omeprazole could do it I guess. Janet has been on it for esophageal issues and I’m trying to get her off it. It has a link to dementia although that’s still pretty early on and may not prove true, correlation not equaling causation.
But yeah, you need to see your GI. Not sure the PCP is the right guy for this.
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I'll AI my meds re: absorption.
My GI prescribed the Omeprazole because of an esophageal issue. He said my esophagus was narrow.
I think it's causing more harm than good. I stopped talking it yesterday. I don't think it's doing much good, to the point, and with the possible side effects, I'll save what I bought OTC Walmart Equate in case I might want to take one capsule if I have bad acid reflux. So, between my supply (maybe 30 at this point) and my Tums almost full plastic jar, I won't need to buy it again.
Edit @mik I was writing this in the Dr waiting room, couldn't finish because I was called, and I'm writing again now that I'm at home.
Waiting for a Sprouts Farmer's Market to deliver food my Dr told me to get and organic Aldens vanilla bean ice cream (my favorite store bought ice cream ever and like I said to @chas my favorite food). And a double crust apple pie for good measure.
Black beans. Rice. Pea protein powder. In addition to beef, chicken, fish, etc.
(I was just briefly typing with my voice. I don't know how that happened but I want to learn- it was great.)
Ok.
Excellent visit!! It's amazing to have a good Dr and Nurse. I'm lucky.
Bottom line follow up-
I'm to eat the right amount of protein daily period.
Bloodwork ordered.
Follow up appointment scheduled in 2 months time.
Referral to a GI (a different GI because I wasn't unhappy but wasn't thrilled with the last one).
GI will decide what he or she thinks should be done.
2nd colonoscopy if GI decides one is needed.
Of course I'm a little freaked out that this is the state of my general health BUT I feel very relieved my Dr. did do and is doing everything I could have asked for, including his nutrition counseling.
I feel much better about all this today.
My weight was measured at 115. I'm 5' 7".
This is a good 2 lbs less than I weighed at 17 or about what I weighed at 16.
Yes, the weight loss is clearly only getting worse.
A lack of (an even close to- as it turns out) daily protein is causing my body to take what it needs from my muscles.
He explained the g units needed per day.
He said I need to have the daily protein intake required or more.
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Quick observation re: stopping omeprazole...I think it's fairly common for people to have a rebound effect when they stop taking it. The drug has been suppressing acid production and now that suppression is lifted, and some folks get worse reflux when they stop. You may need to look up how to taper off of it so your reflux doesn't get bad.
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off the top of my head....Coffee....common trigger for reflux. So is chocolate. And acidic things - orange juice, a lot of sodas, carbonated beverages in general...you might want to look up a complete list so you don't add to the reflux problem, esp since you stopped omeprazole
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Here's the GERD diet. Should also limit fats and sweets.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/gerd-diet
Sorry to be a killjoy....I have a form of reflux, so I'm up to speed on this carp.
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I have a feeling I’ve told this story here before.
I had some sort of acid reflux or GERD. About 20 years ago I awoke at night with the feeling I was having a heart attack. Very scary. Spent a night “under observation” in the hospital after undergoing every test you could imagine. In the morning, they told me they’d found no anomalies but asked what I’d been eating or drinking.
I figured it was tea. I was drinking tea all day long, a real obsessive, and a tea nerd.
So I stopped that. For some reason coffee does not affect me negatively. So I have one or two coffees in the morning. I still can tolerate a cup of tea in the afternoon, once or twice a week.
I still prefer tea. Japanese sencha usually. So much variety, a very sophisticated beverage. But here we are.
Alcohol and spicy foods don’t bother me.
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I have a feeling I’ve told this story here before.
I had some sort of acid reflux or GERD. About 20 years ago I awoke at night with the feeling I was having a heart attack. Very scary. Spent a night “under observation” in the hospital after undergoing every test you could imagine. In the morning, they told me they’d found no anomalies but asked what I’d been eating or drinking.
I figured it was tea. I was drinking tea all day long, a real obsessive, and a tea nerd.
So I stopped that. For some reason coffee does not affect me negatively. So I have one or two coffees in the morning. I still can tolerate a cup of tea in the afternoon, once or twice a week.
I still prefer tea. Japanese sencha usually. So much variety, a very sophisticated beverage. But here we are.
Alcohol and spicy foods don’t bother me.
@RealPlayer Yup, each person has to figure out their triggers. Like you, I can do some coffee and spicy foods are fine. Green tea is a no, but one cup of black tea in the afternoon is ok. Tomatoes and vinegar are fine in moderation. Chocolate is a trigger for me but I do eat it occasionally.
My reflux kicked after I had my gallbladder surgery. I just cut out all the possible culprits and then added things back in one at a time. If my tummy gets grouchy I just avoid all the bad stuff till things settle down.
And I do sleep with my shoulders and head elevated a bit.
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wtg, what about onions? I just made hamburger with butter (it's what I had), salt, and onions.
To be clear, my acid reflux is mild. I started taking it because my GI said it would help my "unusually narrow esophogus. I don't know how that was supposed to do that. I never figured that out. I don't think it's been any help to me.
Joe, Yeah, I remember when you had to basically give up tea. So many"it is what it is moments in life.
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